West Virginia: Second-most depressed state in the country?

[CoolBreeze]

West Virginia is the second-most depressed state in the country.


Ok... we CAN be number one if we really try! I'm tired of being dead last all the time, so lets do whatever it takes to gain that top spot! MORE DRINKING! MORE DRUGS! MORE GAMBLING! MORE POLITICAL CORRUPTION! MORE UNEMPLOYMENT ALL AROUND! WE CAN SHOW THE WORLD THAT NOBODY BEATS WV WHEN IT COMES TO DEPRESSION!



The Associated Press

West Virginia's suicide and depression rates are among the highest in the country, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

The state was joined by Utah, Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming in ranking in the top 10 in both categories, according to the Thomson Healthcare report prepared for the nonprofit Mental Health America and released Wednesday.

Based on the report, the states ranking in the top 10 for lowest depression and suicide rates are Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey.

Researchers blame the severity of depression and suicide rates on such factors as poor access to mental health care and a dearth of resources for distressed people.

Using data ranging from federal surveys to prescription drug sales data, the study found that West Virginia is the second-most depressed state in the country, with the 10th-highest suicide rate in the country.

"It doesn't surprise me,'' said Catherine Yura, director of the Carruth Center at West Virginia University, which provides counseling, services and classes for students.

Funding for mental health services is not as comprehensive as it should be, Yura said, and in a rural state like West Virginia many people with serious problems may never seek treatment.

"We see a lot of students where this is the first time they've been able to get help,'' she said.

Although the causes of depression are unique to each individual, there are factors in West Virginia that contribute to a higher rate, according to the study.

People who are college educated and have health insurance are less likely to be depressed or suicidal, the study concluded. About 245,000 of 1.8 million West Virginians are without health insurance, and roughly 16 percent have college degrees.

MORE....

http://www.dailymail.com/News/200711290006
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[fearpeddler]

and it took them how long to acknowledge this problem???

[genlock]

I think the numbers will vary with the populations of Wheeling and Welch.

[Bob Campbell]

At the risk of sounding like an adult for a minute, let me say this.
I lived in West Virginia for two stretches, one just over 4 years and more recently, just over a year. I met some of the best people I know, people who are very close friends (uh....not Nunley). There is much beauty in West Virginia.
But one thing I noticed about WV that I've never seen anywhere else I've lived (10 states, half a million stations) is what I call a "beaten down" attitude among the average person. This is very difficult for me to describe, but it's like people expect failure and loss. I've always had the sense (totally personal) that it stems at least in part from the old "coal mining town" mentality. That may be completely off base, it's just my feelng.
Folks expect to be fat. They expect their leaders to be crooks. They expect to lose out to other states.
I think the leader who can turn that around is the one who may actually do something to move the state forward in a meaningful fashion.
Okay, back to boobs and WVU jokes.

[Zak Tyler]

Okay, back to boobs

hell yeah! now we're gettin' somewhere.


but i do agree bob... i felt some of the same things during my stay of 4 (some odd) years. didn't know quite how to explain it either. and another thing, i noticed it more down in logan than in charleston.

[Dave Allen]

Our news guy uses the term "provencial paranoia"

"Everyone is out to get me (our town)

[herdgirl72]

You guys are right...its almost like people around here thrive on other's failures. It makes them feel better. Like their lot in life isn't so bad.

[Arp2]

You guys are right...its almost like people around here thrive on other's failures. It makes them feel better. Like their lot in life isn't so bad.

...which they tend to believe they actually have.


Mainly because they keep getting told it.


IMO.

[Oldiesdude]

According to the linked news story:

Another obstacle to treatment for West Virginians is the rural geography of their state. In some areas, it can take more than an hour to get to the nearest hospital, a problem that affects all health care. The distance makes people less likely to seek treatment until a problem becomes critical.

Our area hospital has done their part to keep health care local, and maybe help to lower the score for depression. They kept the hospital local but, gave up birthing babies. You see that way people (maybe depressed ones), will die, making making a break neck speed drive, 42 miles north or about the same south, in order to bring their baby into the world. By stopping them before they are born then, they can not grow up to be depressed. Shoot, sometimes depending who all goes along on the ride, (Sisters, brothers, in-laws).... it could sometimes be a 5 or less drop at at time. Not the same in the coal towns that might still have mid-wife's. Not many of them around here anymore.

Heck, I remember when my daughter and son were born, (in the hospital), they used to give out a baby kit. Photo Album, diapers, powder, wipes, coupon's etc... I think they do the same thing now, only not the same. I think it is more like the cable company. Sort of a self install kit. Gloves, a pair of sissors, and boiling water.

Got to love health care in WV and the US as a whole.